FinseFest 2026: Summer festival with DNT Finsehytta and Hotel Finse 1222
- Snowstorm Adventures
- May 25
- 7 min read
It's nearly time for FinseFest! This is a two week period in July where the summer season is just getting started. DNT Finsehytta and Hotel Finse 1222 come together to organise a program of Finse-focused activities. The vibe is really chill, collaborative, friendly and here-and-now focused and its such a pleasant time to be in Finse!
Here's an overview of the program for this year, open to everyone:
Monday 29th June
11:00 – Practical First Aid by Ade Hawkins
You're on a trip, someone in your group is injured, daylight is disappearing and the weather is changing. What do you do next? This first aid course gives you the tools to stop, assess the situation and make good decisions when it really matters. Through a combination of theory and practical exercises, we work with first aid, group safety and simple rescue solutions that buy time and improve the outcome. The goal is not perfect rescues, but realistic measures that help the entire group get home safely. The session is conducted in English.
21:00 – Use of digital maps before, during and after the trip by Bjørn Sandvik, and opening of Finse Top 10
Get great tips on how to use digital maps to plan your trip, and how maps on your mobile phone can be a good addition to paper maps and a compass. Bjørn Sandvik has worked with digital maps for 25 years and has been responsible for the maps on UT.no since 2018. He will present more and less well-known features on UT - such as how you can download maps to your mobile phone so that they are available when you are out of coverage, and how you can find your own way without the terrain being too steep. You will also get information about the competition Finse Top 10 and inspiration for day trips from Finse this summer.
Location: Blåsalen Hotel Finse 1222
Tuesday, June 30
10:00 – Hiking to Hardangerjøkulen - tour and story by geologist Thorbjørn Kaland
Join Thorbjørn on a unique trip into the mighty Hardangerjøkulen! Before setting off, he gives a brief introduction about the area and what awaits us on the way. Along the way, he shares knowledge about the landscape we pass through – shaped by the enormous forces of ice over thousands of years.
Meeting point: at the long table at Finsehytta.
17:00 – Beer tasting DNT Finsehytta 1223 Microbrewery
Join us for a tasty experience at Finsehytta! Rune Sundt, manager and brewmaster at Finse 1223 microbrewery, guides us through a journey of locally brewed beer. Learn about the processes behind the brewing and enjoy flavors inspired by the harsh but beautiful nature of Finse Price: 350kr per person.
Location: Peisestua Finsehytta
21:00 – The history and future of Hardangerjøkulen by Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu
Kerim Hestnes Nisancioglu is a polar researcher and professor at the Department of Geosciences at UiB and the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research in Bergen. Kerim researches changes in climate and ice with a focus on Greenland and the Arctic. In addition to climate research, Kerim is engaged in outreach and teaching in the field, including a number of tour descriptions on UT.no with descriptions of climate and nature along the coast and in the mountains. Location: Blåsalen Hotel Finse 1222
Wednesday, July 1
11:00 – Outdoor Baking Lesson with Reidun Høines
Fresh rolls for breakfast or pizza for dinner? Do you want to take your outdoor cooking to the next level? Join an inspiring course in outdoor baking! Here you will learn how to bake bread, pastries and snacks over a campfire or in a storm kitchen – and maybe we will even build a 7-stone oven and bake with sourdough. The course is suitable for everyone, regardless of experience, and is based on good, simple ingredients.
In fresh mountain air and pleasant company, we share smart methods that provide tasty and energy-rich hiking food. Welcome to an atmospheric and memorable outdoor dining experience. Reidun Høines has extensive experience with outdoor cooking and courses in outdoor life. She is a college lecturer in food and health, an avid hiker and is particularly interested in baking – preferably in a wood-fired oven.
Location: Finsehytta
21:00 – What's happening at Finse ? Updates from the research front by Jens Ådne
Join when the manager is on Finse alpine research station gives us an exciting insight into what they are working on. He shares the latest news from the station, talks about projects and activities, and gives us a taste of what is happening in research in the high mountains. Location: Finsehytta
Thursday, July 2
10:00–17:00 – Flea market in the waiting room to raise money for Fagernut
Welcome to the flea market in the waiting room at Finse station. Here you will find small and large treasures, everything from clothes and books to hiking equipment and everyday items. It will also be possible to buy a coffee cup and a snorter. The proceeds go entirely to Fagernut, so that we can continue to take care of the historic caretaker's house and cafe on Rallarvegen.
The fleas are mainly clothes and equipment that have been forgotten over the last 3 years at Finsehytta. Do you have anything you would like to contribute? Clothes and hiking equipment can be donated to Finsehytta Monday–Wednesday, and we will sell it at the flea market to raise money for Fagernut.
Location: Waiting room at the station
10:00–17:00 – Beach zone cleanup
When Finsevannet is drained, old sins come to light. Everyone who is concerned with taking care of the vulnerable nature here on Finse are encouraged to attend the most important volunteer event of the year, to help remove glass, metal and other trash lying in the beach area. Location: Framheim
Friday, July 3
11:00 – Smoking fish
We have restored the smokehouse that has been used for generations. Finse Jon Erik Fadnes who grew up on Finse and is one of 7 permanent residents, will fire up the smokehouse and offer tastings of smoked meat and fish. Registration to booking@hotelfinse1222.no
Location: The Smokehouse
21:00 – Outdoor concert with the band Finsefant
Friday, July 3, 2026, the band Finsefant will be on the outdoor stage at Finsehytta. Finsefant is the result of a very excited and enthusiastic caretaker at Finse Hotel 1222, after his own performance with the talk "6000 years of Finse history" at Finsefest 2025. The idea was then to create a band for next year's Finsefest (2026), and the search for band members began.
The opportunity quickly arose at an Odd Nordstoga concert in Alvøen, where we met again. Two former colleagues and friends who hadn't seen each other for a while. Leif Inge Børnes is sales manager at Helvik hus Sotra. Plays bass, guitar and sings. Hallgeir Førde is a sales specialist at Siemens. Plays drums and sings. Kristian Solheim is a caretaker at Hotel Finse 1222. Plays guitar and sings.
Together we plan to serve you a good mix of more or less well-known and beloved songs, which are easy to sing along to and easy to dance to. We look forward to playing for you!
Saturday, July 4
11:00 – Opening of the Rallarmuseet with music.
Join the opening of the venerable Rallarmuseet. “Norway’s future breakthrough” was what was said and sung when the Bergen Railway was completed in 1909. The country’s largest state construction project at the time was completed after many years. The Rallarmuseet manages and communicates “The Fight Against the Snow”, which displays historical snow-clearing equipment and how the high mountain section was kept open throughout the winter. Outside the museum you can see steam and diesel-powered rotary ploughs, track cleaners and snow scrapers. Location: Rallarmuseet
21:00 – 6000 years of Finse history
Our own multi-artist and caretaker Kristian was given a challenge: “Can you recreate Finse’s diverse history over the past 6,000 years in a musical journey of 60 minutes?” The answer was, as always, “Yes.” We are really looking forward to this unique experience. Location: Blåsalen Hotel Finse 1222
Sunday, July 6
11:00 – Church service
Finse cabin and Finse Hotel 1222 welcomes you to a different kind of church service in Finse chapel – a quiet space for reflection in the middle of the high mountains. After the service, we invite you to participate in a pleasant and informal meal community – coffee will be served, bring a packed lunch.
12:00 & 14:00 – History walk in Finsebyen
Join us on a tour of the local area, where Jon Erik Fadnes offers exciting stories from local history. Finse From the construction of the Bergen Railway until the Empire struck back. Meeting point: At the monument outside Finse Hotel 1222
12:00-16:00 – Changing outdoor life: the impact of climate on snow, skiing and mountain nature by Rebekka Frøystad
This talk looks at how climate change is already changing the outdoor life as we know it. With shorter and more unstable snow and ski seasons, skiing activity, travel patterns and traditions related to winter use of nature are being affected. At the same time, we see that the tree line is creeping up the mountains as temperatures rise, which is changing the landscape, biodiversity and the experience of open mountain areas. The talk puts these changes in context, and invites reflection on what this means for the future of outdoor life – both in terms of adaptation, management and nature experience.
Location: Blåsalen Finse Hotel 1222
Other Activities
During the festival, at Snowstorm Adventures we will have daily nature tours to the toe of the glacier (it's still a bit too early to go onto the ice itself).
Where to stay?
All of the activities are open to everyone and of course if you do want to stay in Finse for a few days accommodation is available at DNT Finsehytta or Hotel Finse 1222.
Where to eat?
DNT Finsehytta has a cafe open every day from 12-4pm serving coffee, waffles, soup, pizza and usually cake or bolle. Hotel Finse 1222 also sells sandwiches, cake and coffee during the day.
For dinner, you can book a table in the a la carte restaurant at Hotel Finse 1222 or book a space at the DNT Finsehytta meals which are available at 7pm and 9pm every evening. Both have an excellent selection of beer and wine and good atmosphere is guranateed!
Further Information
Read our guide on 'How to get to Finse'
Read our guide on 'What to pack to visit Finse'
Thinking of making a visit to Finse for FinseFest 26 part of your vacation in Norway? Read our '5 day itinerary on the Bergensbanen from Oslo to Bergen'
